Katie's Cozily Creative Capitol Hill Home

I downsized to my current apartment -- a 400-square-foot junior one-bedroom in Washington, D.C. -- from an airy two-bedroom loft in New Orleans. I've inherited many of my furniture pieces or collected them on my travels, so I had to be creative in the way I used my space.

The living room is extra large, so I zoned it into a den area, an office and a closet. The result is certainly cozy, but not cramped or cluttered. It's a place I'm happy to relax in.

My design inspiration centers on a rug I bought when visiting Turkey a few years ago. I love the colors in it and how it adds an air of sophistication without being too fussy. My book and rock collections are also a source of design inspiration, lending a library- or museum-like feel to the space.